U.S. Dairy Companies Donate 22,000 Meals to Reduce Hunger in San Diego County

The IDFA Foundation and several leading dairy companies donated 12,960 units of shelf-stable milk and $6,000 to Feeding San Diego food bank yesterday to address hunger in San Diego County. The donations were announced at a two-hour service event at the food bank where more than 30 dairy food company executives sorted and packed lunches for food-insecure families. Altogether, the donations from the IDFA Foundation and its partners will support more than 22,000 meals for people in need.

Organized by the IDFA Foundation and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the donations will benefit the school pantry program, bringing nutritious food directly to where families with children already gather – their local schools. IDFA board members and members of association’s NextGen Leadership Program sorted and packed 5,000 pounds of food during the event.

Generous donations were made possible by the following IDFA members:

• 12,960 units of shelf-stable milk by the Marcel J Damiens Family Foundation and Diversified Foods, Inc. of Louisiana, valued at approximately $7700.00
• Idaho Milk Products
• Daragh Maccabee

To see photos from the visit and donations, please visit here.

The IDFA Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit that seeks to make an important contribution to people and communities on behalf of the U.S. dairy industry by providing grants that reduce hunger, improve environmental sustainability, and enhance the welfare of people working in food manufacturing. The Foundation, supported in large part by contributions from U.S. dairy companies, has provided more than 1,000,000 meals to food insecure people in the U.S. and around the world since 2022.

“The IDFA Foundation is committed to reducing hunger in San Diego and wherever it exists,” said Andrew Jerome, executive director of the IDFA Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Feeding San Diego to support people facing hunger in San Diego County, and I am grateful to our partners and donors for making today’s gifts possible.”

“Milk has 13 essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high- quality protein in every serving.  It is an essential part of a balanced diet, and we are grateful to provide access to our Marcels Modern Pantry shelf stable milk to the families of San Diego County. The Marcel J Damiens Family Foundation and Diversified Foods are proud to offer this important donation to Feeding San Diego” said Sean Steichen, Chief Operating Officer for Diversified Foods, Inc. “We want to express our gratitude to the IDFA Foundation for including us in this event to highlight the importance of milk, and dairy access for all.”

According to Feeding San Diego, more than 400,000 people, including 100,000 children in San Diego County struggle with hunger every day. The hunger-relief organization provided more than 31 million meals in 2025 children, families, seniors, college students, military families, and veterans in partnership with a network of more than 350 local charities, schools, colleges, faith communities, healthcare providers, and meal sites. Established in 2007, Feeding San Diego rescues surplus food from local and national food donors before it goes to waste and gets it to people facing hunger in San Diego County. It is the only Feeding America partner food bank in the region. Last year, 90% percent of the food distributed by Feeding San Diego was rescued, allowing high-quality food to be redirected instead of going to waste.

“On behalf of Feeding San Diego, we are incredibly grateful to the IDFA Foundation for their generous support and meaningful donation of 420 cases of shelf-stable milk,” said Patty O’Connor, Chief Operations Officer. “Milk is one of the most requested and most nutritious items among the families we serve—especially for children. This donation will go directly into our School Pantry Program, helping ensure students have consistent access to essential nutrients that support their health, focus, and ability to learn. Partnerships like this make a real difference for families across San Diego, and we are proud to work alongside organizations that are so deeply committed to strengthening our community.”

To learn more about the work of the IDFA Foundation, visit www.idfafoundation.org.